Suu Kyi aide sworn in as Myanmar president in historic power shift

Naypyidaw: A close aide to Aung San Suu Kyi was sworn in as Myanmar's president on Wednesday, a role that will see him act as a proxy for the pro-democracy figurehead and carry the hopes of a nation emerging from military rule.

Htin Kyaw takes power from former general Thein Sein who has helmed far-reaching reforms since 2011.

Suu Kyi, 70, is barred from becoming president by the junta-scripted constitution but has declared that she will steer the government anyway, taking on a clutch of cabinet positions including that of foreign minister.

The handover at the junta-built parliament in the capital Naypyidaw marks the final act of a prolonged transition since Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party swept the November elections.

The NLD won 80 percent of parliamentary seats, handing them a massive public mandate to rule after generations of army domination.

Wearing a collarless shirt in the NLD's peach-coloured parliamentary colours, the bespectacled Htin Kyaw pledged to be "faithful to the people of the republic of the union of Myanmar".